Another week passed and Jacob still had no clue. But like they say, more heads know more and can think faster. This is not exactly true for humans because only one human working alone can fully exploit his or her brain-power while two or more have to waste time and energy on communication. The pack had no such problem however. And so it happened that after Sam and Emily visited her friend who was pregnant and after he phased and connected with the others, the wheels of their "collective mind" started to turn.
Jacob was in his wolf form at the moment. When Sam remembered the visit, the memory of the scent of Emily's friend caught his attention. A seed of an idea was formed and transmitted to the others. It was rebounded back and forth for a while. Jacob kept comparing Sam's memory with his own. The scents weren't same but they were similar enough. Sam howled and fifteen minutes later, the entire pack assembled on a nearby clearing.
"This better be important," barked Leah. Andromeda had been teaching her basics of potion-brewing when she had heard the summon. The matter was quickly shared with the newcomers.
"That's ludicrous! Bella as a mother? Can you imagine that?" somebody laughed.
"And who could possibly be the father?" somebody else sneered.
"Maybe it's from an anonymous donor," pondered Embry.
"A better question is why is her scent so unusual?" stated Sam. "Is the father human at all?"
"She herself is not human," retorted Jared. Obviously, Jacob had heard what Bella had told Billy.
"Maybe we should go there and demand an explanation," proposed Paul.
"Don't be daft. You demand nothing from Bella Swan. I mean Black," admonished him Jared.
After a while, Leah proposed that all of them should phase back, tell Andromeda about everything, and discuss the matter with the others.
Carlisle finished tending to Bella's cracked rib.
"Do you hear anything yet?" she asked.
Edward shook his head. Bella closed her eyes and concentrated for a moment.
"Me neither," she said.
"What do you plan? To communicate with the baby?" asked Edward.
"Sort of. Maybe if it understood what's happening..."
Edward sighed and said, "You know, that could go weird." He didn't want to emphasize that it could have bad effect on the baby, not when the safety of his wife was at stake.
"Unfortunately, this isn't our greatest problem," told them Carlisle. "This whole ordeal is putting an awful strain on your heart. The fetus is far more demanding than in normal cases when it comes to oxygen and sustenance. Your heart has to pump far more blood into the placenta."
Bella nodded thoughtfully and confessed that she had not thought about it.
"I'm afraid we are getting to limits of what can be handled by non-magical medicine," added Carlisle.
"We aren't involving my aunt until it's absolutely necessary," stated Bella.
"I bet you don't want us to contact Hermione either," commented Edward.
"You are right," confirmed Bella. "The danger of this information leaking out would be too great."
"And what about you? Is there something you can do?" asked Carlisle.
"I've got a vial of a strengthening solution," she answered.
The Cullens knew that just like they knew that the potion would not only boost her muscles but her heart as well. However, Carlisle wondered whether it wouldn't cause more harm than good.
"We should save that for later however," continued Bella. "Possibly for the very end. As for my magic, I've got a strange feeling about it lately. I think I should conduct a certain experiment, though I know already what's the result going to be."
Edward carried Bella downstairs. She was no longer going anywhere on her own or doing any fast moves. Carlisle theorized that the fetus was like an iron rod stuck in wet dirt - it could get easily dislodged (many humans would argue with that but that's not the point).
Per Bella's instructions, Edward filled a bowl with cold water. The others assembled to see what was it all about.
"OK, let's warm the water up a little," said Bella and waved her wand.
The water went to boil immediately, then it started to evaporate quickly, and the bowl burst into pieces.
"What was that about? Why have you done that?" asked Emmett.
"I intended to do exactly what I said - to slightly increase the temperature of the water."
"So the baby is affecting your magic?" asked Jasper.
"Exactly. It happens sometimes, when a baby is powerful enough. Of course, I've been feeling my child's magic for a while now."
"So the little one has turned you into a super-witch?" asked Emmett.
"No. The magic of the baby is affecting my own magic but it does not empower it. The effect of the spell was far stronger than I intended but the spell was also far more tiring. In other words, I should avoid performing any more magic until the baby is born."
Both Jasper and Edward tried to find the baby with their gifts. Jasper couldn't feel anything that would be distinguishable from Bella's own feelings. Edward couldn't hear anything either. He was unsure if it was because the child had no solid thoughts or because it was enveloped by Bella's magical field. Bella decided to try to find the child's mind before going to sleep that night.
Charlie received an unexpected visit. Two cars stopped in front of his house and before too long, Charlie was talking to the visitors in his living room. There was Andromeda, Billy, Harry, Quill, Sam, Jacob, and Jared. Jared felt bonded to Bella and the Cullens through the battles they fought in and insisted on being involved.
"Charlie, there's no beating around the bushes here, we'll give it to you straight," started Andromeda.
"Bella's pregnant!" cried Jared out impatiently.
"What?" asked Charlie. Despite what Bella had told him, he somehow had not thought about such a possibility. "One would think that they would use some precautions with all the possibilities magic has got..." he rumbled under his breath.
"What was that?" asked Sam. "Use precautions with whom? Do you have any idea who could be the father?"
"Well, Edward, of course," divulged Charlie before it occurred to him that he shouldn't be talking about it. "They've got married a month ago. I had no idea they planned any children though. From what you guys have told me, I've figured that this isn't a good time to start a family."
The others stared at him in shock. They couldn't comprehend what was Charlie telling them for a while. It wasn't just about Bella marrying a vampire, it was mainly about Bella marrying at all.
"But that's impossible! How could such a thing happen?" exclaimed Sam.
Charlie looked at him with annoyance and brusquely retorted, "Well, like in most other cases. In fact, it was her excuse for not visiting me. And what business of yours is it anyway?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" exclaimed Jared. "She was making it up! They aren't compatible that way. Not only it would be extremely dangerous but it would be pointless as well. It wouldn't bring any pleasure to either of them and it most certainly wouldn't result in a child!"
"No, not necessarily," whispered Andromeda thoughtfully. Others stared at her in incomprehension.
"The pregnancy thing, I mean. Their females can't have children because their bodies can't change. However, that means nothing for the males. One would think that the males are sterile but we have to remember that they aren't real vampires, they aren't dead."
"Vampires?!" shouted Charlie. "Nobody has told me that they are vampires!"
Billy asked him incredulously, "You went to their wedding and they haven't even told you?"
Charlie was about to make a retort but Andromeda cut him off, "As a matter of fact, they aren't vampires in the original sense of the word. But since all the real vampires have been destroyed, we call these new ones the same way for the sake of simplicity."
The discussion started in earnest. It was quickly decided that somebody should go there and ask Bella whether their theory was correct. At the same time, they didn't want to do anything that would provoke Bella and the Cullens (somebody pointed out that there was no "Bella and the Cullens" any more, only "the Cullens").
In the end, they agreed to compose a delegation of people who had special connection to Bella. The only exception was Andromeda who, as a witch, had to come anyway. Charlie was obvious next selection and he wouldn't have any other way anyway. Quill was out and Sam agreed that he wasn't as close to Bella as before. Billy was on a wheelchair (and thus a possible encumbrance) but Harry had a heart condition. In the end, it was decided that Harry would go home and Billy would join the delegation. Both Jared and Jacob wanted to come. Jacob was a new wolf (and thus possibly volatile in the Cullens' eyes) while Jared was a proven killer (and thus a threat). They decided to play it by the ear. One of them would would have to wait in a car as a backup.
Harry and Quill returned to La Push and Sam ran off to join the pack. The others gave him some time and then drove to the Cullens' house. Andromeda took a lift with Charlie in his cruiser. He wanted to tell her something and pondered how to approach the matter. Andromeda could clearly see his predicament.
"Spit it out," she said.
"Well, it's about Bella," he started unsurely.
"Obviously. What about her?"
"As I understand, you two don't like each other very much. But, I had the chance to get to know her in past year and I want you to know that I believe that she has a good heart under all that cold façade. She isn't doing this to bring anybody in harms way. Apart from herself, that is."
"No, she isn't doing this to create a danger. Creation of a danger is merely a side effect. Look, she understands that her human life is over. But like her mother, she is enthralled by the idea of having somebody powerful to carry on her legacy. And this child is going to be truly dangerous. Apart from having a thirst of a vampire, it might also have magic focussed by partially vampiric mind."
"Well, at least the kiddo is going to be able to take care of itself in this crazy world."
Andromeda said nothing. After a while, Charlie asked, "Look, you aren't planning anything... untoward against Bella or the child, are you?"
Andromeda pressed her lips together until they become a thin line. After a few moments, she answered, "I'm not planning anything at all. At this moment, I don't know what to expect."
There was another pause and then Charlie spoke again, "You can't blame her for your daughter's death. I hope you understand that. Jared has said it himself - they were barely able to get out of there alive themselves."
Andromeda glared at him (which Charlie didn't see because he was looking at the road) and said in a threatening voice, "Charlie?"
"Yes?" he replied. It was first time she addressed him by his first name.
"Shut. Up," grounded Andromeda out, separating each word.
Edward and Alice learned about the impromptu visit in advance. Thanks to Charlie, who knew about Edward's gift by then, they also knew the reason for the visit. Edward was rather infuriated. Bella needed to rest and such hassle couldn't be healthy for her. Flanked by Jasper and Carlisle, he waited for the visitors on the porch.
Charlie stopped the car and stepped out. He made a brief eye connection with Edward. Andromeda caught that nonetheless and frowned. It became clear to her that Charlie was emitting like crazy and whose side was he on. Jacob was already helping Billy out of the car by that time. Billy watched the silent exchange between Charlie, Andromeda, and the vampires.
"Boys, stay here for now," he commanded.
"I think I should go with you," disagreed Jacob.
"Not yet," insisted Billy. "Stay here."
He wheeled himself to where Charlie stood and said, "Well?"
Charlie took the handles of the wheelchair and started pushing Billy to the house. Andromeda followed.
Edward greeted them, "As much as I like to see you, I'm afraid Bella can't accept any visits." There wasn't much cordiality in his voice.
"Unless..." added Carlisle. "Unless you came here to help, Mrs. Tonks." Somehow, he knew that it wasn't her primary intention.
"Regardless, we need to talk," stated Andromeda, ignoring Carlisle's question.
"Would she see me?" asked Charlie.
Edward hesitated. He waited for instructions from inside. Bella decided to oblige Charlie. Esme and Alice agreed.
"Sure, come in," said Edward.
Charlie pushed Billy to Andromeda and trotted off to the entrance. A sense of uneasiness started to gnaw on his mind - it was the first time he met the Cullens after learning what they were.
"Are you sure that nothing you carry was enchanted to act as a beacon?" asked Jasper when Charlie was going past him. Charlie looked back at him, somewhat surprised by such a notion. Jasper rolled his eyes and added, "Never mind. I guess that isn't her style."
Esme led Charlie upstairs. Back on the porch, Carlisle told the remaining two guests, "Well, I believe it would be rude to keep you standing outside. If you have something to say and your intentions are peaceful, you can say it to us in the living room."
Jasper complemented, "Though maybe it would be better if you didn't perform any magic without our permission, Mrs. Tonks." His voice was friendly but the underlying threat was clear.
In the meantime, Charlie reached the door of Bella's room. Before letting Charlie in, Esme put her finger on her lips. "Keep your voice down," she whispered. Charlie nodded and entered.
At first glance, Charlie didn't see that anything changed from the last visit. Bella was lying in the bed, just like before. Charlie didn't understand what was Esme worried about. There was no tea-cup planted to keep the charade this time around.
"Hi," she said.
Charlie nodded in response. "I'm sorry, I've told them about the marriage," he apologized. "I didn't know it would be such a deal."
"Don't worry about that. We should have told you. It's just that I thought that it would be better not to overwhelm you."
Charlie pulled a chair, sat down, and folded his hands on his lap. He remained silent for a while, not knowing what to say.
"How do you feel?" he asked finally.
"I've been better."
Another few moments of silence. "Well, it's not going to get better for a while," he continued in the end. "It would, for a while, if it was human, but from what I understand, it's going to be less and less safe as the little one grows. Are you sure you will be able to survive this for next eight months? That's what I'm concerned about."
Bella and Esme looked at each other. "Remember what you've promised. Keep your voice down, the boys can hear you," reminded him Esme.
"The thing is," Bella started to explain in hushed voice. "There aren't going to be any next eight months. More like a week. Days, rather."
Charlie stared at her in incomprehension. "Wh..." he started but Bella put her finger on her lips. She moved the covers. Charlie's eyes bulged about as much as Bella's belly.
"Ho..." he started but Esme tapped him on his shoulder sharply. Charlie leaned in and whispered, "How is this possible? Is this some kind of time travel or time compression or some other machination with time?"
"Nope. My guess is faster cell regeneration and thus faster growth as well. Maybe my magic is fuelling it."
Charlie thought about it for a few seconds. "I see," he said when he processed the situation. "I agree that the others shouldn't know about this. Why are you telling me in the first place?"
Esme covered Bella again. "We need you to know the delicacy of Bella's state," she explained. "Also, whatever happens, no magic should be used. It would be dangerous both for Bella and the baby and for anybody on the other end of her wand as well."
"Some kind of a magical interference from the baby?" asked Charlie. Bella nodded.
In the meantime, Andromeda, Billy, and most of the Cullen family congregated in the main area downstairs.
"Well, cards out," stated Jasper and clasped his hands. "And Mrs. Tonks, I would appreciate if you stopped guarding your feelings - it makes me jumpy."
Andromeda was about to make a snarky retort when Billy raised his hand and spoke, "Allow me to explain our position. We have taken a considerable risk upon ourselves when we entered this entire enterprise. As you know, we have many weak points which our enemies could attack. Knowing this, I'm sure you can understand that there are certain questions which need to be answered. For example: How unstable is this new element going to be? How will it change the situation? Does it change your plans and intentions in any way? Can you guarantee that this child won't be a threat? Would you be willing to kill it if it turned out to be some kind of misshapen monster? Of course, we are also concerned about Bella and her health. Is she going to be all right after this?"
When he fell silent, Andromeda snapped, "And of course, we would like to hear this from Bella herself, if you don't mind. Now that the cat is out of the bag, she can stop hiding."
Carlisle shook his head and told her, "She isn't hiding. However, her health is in critical condition. Her body is deciding how it should react to the fetus. It's absolutely essential for Bella not to be disturbed in any way for next two weeks. Unless the situation improves by them, we'll have to take it out of her. And that, my friends, is something you should be truly worried about."
"And that leads us to your questions," continued Edward. "You might wonder why are we doing this. The answer is simple. Whatever happens, Bella needs to be turned. Both because of her genetic disorder and because of the Volturi. But how do you keep somebody like Bella focussed after the change?"
"With a baby?" asked Andromeda incredulously. "I had two sisters and neither of them became a better person after becoming a mother."
"Well, Bella is neither her mother nor her aunt Narcissa. I assure you, her approach to motherhood is vastly different. And yes, I do believe that she has already become a better person through this. I know that because I know her and because the others have observed the same on both of us."
Billy scratched his chin and replied, "Well that's all nice if what you say is true but there are other concerns. There will be certain risks. At best, the child will be like the immortal children, at least for a few years. Do you believe that the gains will outweigh the risks?"
Jasper answered for his brother, "Simple math, Mr. Black. Just realize the numbers. How many spell-casters are we going to have once Bella is no longer human and once Mrs. Tonks grows weak from her age and the same genetic disorder that troubled her sisters? There will be exactly one - Teddy. Maybe more in about forty years if his descendants are wizards..."
He was interrupted by Charlie who descended from upstairs and exclaimed, "I can't believe you two. I'm talking to you, Billy and Andromeda. Bella is your family and you are weighting pros and cons of this like two merchants. To answer your concerns, I've just seen Bella and the pregnancy seems quite natural. However, it would be nice if we all stopped bothering her and gave her some peace. If you want to, I can keep checking the situation from time to time."
Andromeda didn't like being scolded and sought Charlie's eyes. He remembered what he had been told about mind-reading a month ago and turned his head way.
"I wasn't about to read your mind," she sneered. "But your reaction tells me everything I need to know. You aren't being entirely honest with us."
"That's not true..." disagreed Charlie.
"Something isn't right here. I want to see Bella. Now!" demanded Andromeda.
"That's out of the question," refused Edward and stood up.
"Well, you disappoint me, Mrs. Tonks," sighed Carlisle. "I wanted to contact you a few weeks ago but it seems that I was right not to. I believe you've overstayed your welcome."
Andromeda looked from Edward to Jasper. She was no fighter and it would have been unwise for her to draw a wand but that wasn't her intention anyway. All she had to do was walk away and contact Hermione Granger or even their friends among American wizards. The Cullens knew this. There was no telling what would happen afterwards and who else would accidentally learn about it.
Suddenly, things turned around. Fawkes appeared in a gust of flame (damaging any electronic devices in vicinity) and cried out. Three things happened at the same time when he did. First, the people in the house stopped arguing.
Second, Jacob jumped up and headed to the house. Jared stopped leaning on the car and was about to follow him. Jacob heard him move and turned back to him.
"Please, wait here, we don't need to make it more tense in there," he asked Jared.
"Why don't you wait here?" argued Jared. After all, it was he who was through two thick battles with the Cullens.
"I need to go there. Please, just oblige me," repeated Jacob and ran to the house.
Last thing that happened was that the baby reacted to the phoenix song. Bella wasn't particularly looking for the child's thoughts but they become unmissable for a moment. Edward started to hear the baby about a second later. It was unclear whether he truly heard it on his own or whether Bella started to subconsciously emit them. One thing was clear though, he was moved by this more than Bella was. He actually spaced out for a moment and a smile appeared on his face.
Jacob appeared in the entrance. Emmett turned to him sharply. Jacob raised his hand to his waist, palm horizontal, fingers apart. He shook it side to side in a gesture telling Emmett not to start anything.
"Andromeda? What exactly is your problem with this?" asked Charlie.
The witch came out of the effect of Fawkes's song. She ignored Charlie's question and accused him instead, "You surprise me. You are the chief of police here and yet you ignore a clear danger to your community."
"Exactly - I am the chief of police, not you," replied Charlie. "Which brings me to my question - what threatens you personally in this matter? I would understand if you were concerned about Bella's health but you aren't. Nor do you have any special interest in this area or the people who live here. After all, you moved here because of Teddy and he hasn't shown any signs of lycanthropy so far. I hope that your only reason for being here isn't to scold your niece - because she really doesn't need that."
Carlisle added, "Or to enjoy the feeling that you could help her but won't."
"How dare you!" hissed Andromeda.
"Oh come on!" rushed Billy to her defence. "Andromeda just feels that she has more right to know what's going on than the rest of us because she's Bella's aunt. But our point is that this affects all of us. Given the unstable times we live in, we have agreed to make decisions which affect all of us together. But you have decided this on your own."
"Well, we didn't know it would be this straightforward," retorted Edward. "We believed that it would be a long time before this would become reality."
Jacob closed his eyes and cringed internally. It was so weird to think about Bella in such a context.
"Consider this though," continued Edward. "There must be more such hybrids in the world if it's this easy." He fell silent for a moment and tried to reach Bella telepathically but she was preoccupied. Just when Billy and Andromeda were about to respond, he spoke again, "As for your concerns about the child being a danger, you can forget all about it."
"How can you possibly know that?!" asked Billy. "The sole fact that the embryo is already taking its toll on Bella tells us that the child will be strong. But there's no way to tell that it won't be volatile - rather the other way around."
"Yes, we can know it," opposed Edward. "Because Bella and I can hear the baby and I assure you, it's no misshapen monster!"
Billy stared back at him and wanted to tell that he was being ridiculous but Andromeda interrupted him, "That's it! It grows faster - that's what you are hiding, Charlie, isn't it? And it grows faster because vampires have quick regeneration. So there it is - the child is going to be like an immortal child, just like Billy have said."
"No, it's not," disagreed Carlisle. "The child isn't cold, it's actually hot. And it also has a heartbeat."
"But that doesn't mean anything," contended Billy. "Maybe it actually makes things worse. Normal vampires are at least efficient and don't need much blood unless they are gluttonous. On the other hand, this hybrid will inherently need to feed every day."
Fawkes let out another trill. This time, he seemed to be scolding Andromeda and Billy.
"And what exactly is your stake in this, bird?" growled Andromeda at him.
"He claims that he has no interest in our child," answered Edward. "But we suspect that he wants to become his or her familiar. Or something like that."
"So that's it - the child is going to be magical," commented Andromeda. She didn't have to add that it compounded the danger, everybody knew how she meant it.
"Probably. That doesn't have to mean that it's going to be a regular spell-caster. However, the fact that Fawkes is on our side in this should tell you something."
Andromeda sneered, "It doesn't tell us anything good, I'm afraid. After all, Fawkes was Dumbledore's familiar as well."
Carlisle rose up to defend both named. "Now wait a minute. If it had not been for Fawkes, Dumbledore and his comrades would have never defeated Grindelwald and his cohorts. Hitler would have won the Second World War. If Fawkes had not stayed with Dumbledore afterwards, he could have easily become a new Grindelwald in turn."
Jacob cleared his throat and spoke, "Dad? Mrs. Tonks? I believe we should look at this realistically. My wolfish hunch is telling me the same thing as my brain - we don't want Bella as our enemy. Not only because she is more dangerous than any hybrid could ever be but also because we need her."
He seemed collected and rational but truth to be told, there was turmoil brewing in him and he had to focus on controlling himself.
"Which brings me to my concern," he continued. "What if this goes terribly wrong? What if this hybrid is truly dangerous and one of us, through some strange twist of coincidences, will have to kill it? That would throw quite a wrench in our alliance, don't you think? I'm not even going to mention Bella's revenge. So, I'm sure you can understand why are we here, asking about your intentions."
Edward stroked his chin and answered, "I do not think that our child will be volatile but it doesn't matter. Because Bella is becoming one of us either way and you know how lethal she can be even as a human. If, I say if, it is necessary, we shall move to an inhabited area. Most of our family will stay here, in case if some remnant Death Eaters came here, seeking revenge. That is, if you are still going to be interested in that and still willing to help us with the Volturi in turn. However, such talks are premature."
There was a while of silence. Charlie then said, "You know, Mrs. Tonks, you have never answered my question." He slipped back to polite addressment.
"There's nothing to say," she responded shortly.
"I think there is," supported him Edward. "You truly have no reason to be so aggravated by any of this, Mrs. Tonks? So what is it that you are after?"
Jasper caught a flicker of an emotion from Andromeda and cried out, "You aren't even sure yourself!"
Charlie pondered, "I would be willing to bet that your daughter and husband are part of this but that's not all."
Andromeda shot him a dark look and was about to retort but Edward quickly continued Charlie's thought. He spoke quickly and firmly so it was impossible to interrupt him. "Indeed, there's more and I think I can make a guess what it is. Let's look at the facts. Fact one: You are a subject to the very same genetic disorder that Bella is suffering from. Now, I think you'll agree with me when I say that you always disliked this fact, just like you disliked being part of such a dark family. Fact two: You have always strived to distance yourself from your heritage and to be as much unlike as your relatives as possible. In fact, I believe that you always strived to be a better person than anybody else in your family. You were a better person than your parents or either of your sisters. You were a better person then your nephew Draco or anybody else who was related to you. I'm not even going to mention Bella's father who remained an irresponsible boy till his death. But as these people died one by one, you were left with only one relative against which you could compare yourself - Bella. And that was all right with you at first because you believed that anybody who isn't a homicidal maniac is a better person than she is. But that's changing, isn't it? You deny it but I think you believe it - because you see your younger self in Bella. Just like her, you too were once freshly married and with a child on the way..."
He fell silent because Andromeda's hand slipped towards her wand. Jasper tensed but he made no move yet.
"I mean you no harm, young man, but you should really watch your tongue," hissed Andromeda. "I came here to learn what was going on and I have. I'm not in a mood to listen to your dissection of my motives."
"Well then, I'll leave you to consult with your friends. If you excuse me, I need to check on my wife."
When he left, Andromeda turned to Billy. He shifted in his chair and said, "Well, I guess we'll be going. If the child proves to be dangerous and the Cullens incapable of containing it, we can always report it."
Upstairs, Edward entered his and Bella's room. It was immediately clear why Bella wasn't answering him. She was in deep meditation, probably communing with the baby. Edward hesitated and then tried to gain her attention gently.
Back downstairs, Charlie cleared his throat and reminded her, "You know, you are treating Harry's heart condition."
"I am. And your point is...?" retorted Andromeda.
"Bella's heart is under constant strain - like running uphill all the time," explained Carlisle.
"Well, then Bella's situation has nothing to do with Harry's."
"I know. We would be grateful for any assistance under normal circumstances but since you've made your opinion clear..."
"That I have. I'm sure as hell not going to lend a hand just so I could take the blame when something goes wrong."
Edward returned downstairs and said, "Mrs. Tonks? If you still want to talk to Bella, she is willing as well. However, you would have to promise not to start any argument. That's my condition, not hers."
Andromeda shook her head and answered, "I can't promise that since anything I would say would begin with, `How could you have been so stupid?' Not that I have anything to say to her any longer."
"In that case, she's sending you this note."
Edward handed her a piece of paper. Andromeda glanced at it and seemed to be amused. She didn't smile but she shook her head and blew some air through her nose. It was the closest thing to laughter that could have been expected from her in the situation. She dropped the paper on a table. The note read, "Just think about how our ancestors must be turning in their graves right now."
Carlisle decided to try his luck and told Andromeda, "Bella plans to take a strengthening solution if things turn to worse and have us perform a C-section. What do you think?"
Andromeda considered not answering but then she did after all, "Standard strengthening solution? That's going to affect her entire body while you just need to empower her heart. In fact, the things will be much worse after the effect wears of. I would advise you to purify it and apply topically but that's difficult and takes time."
"How much time?"
"I don't know. A week. I've never worked with such potions myself."
"Thank you, Mrs. Tonks. We'll proceed as planned then."
Andromeda sighed, turned to Billy and said, "Well, let's go."
Once again, Jacob felt a strange impulse to stay. He repressed it and went outside. The strength of his inner turmoil made Jasper wonder what was going on with him.
Charlie moved to the entrance, turned back to Carlisle and said, "I'll be back later, OK?"
"Feel free to stay right away," snapped Andromeda. "I'll take a ride with Billy and the boys anyway." Obviously, she wasn't happy with him.
Charlie stood indecisively by the entrance. Jasper stepped to him and told him in low voice, "Maybe you could go to La Push with them, make sure that they relay what was said accurately."
Fawkes spread his wings and flew out. He was following Andromeda, probably to keep an eye on her. Charlie followed after him and got in his cruiser.
"Well, I really need to talk to Bella," said Edward when they were all gone.
He ran back upstairs. Bella noticed him right away this time and told him, "I could use your help, she needs to shift a little."
"She?" asked Edward.
"Well, it's a bit mouthful to keep saying he or she. But it's a boy for all I know."
Edward stepped to the bed. Bella laid back and he placed his hands against the spot which was about to come under pressure. She closed her eyes and connected with the baby. There was a movement, Edward helped from the outside as best as he could. In the end, there were no fractures or other injuries, just some bruising.
"So, you can talk to... her?" he asked.
"Not with words. I can transfer semantic meaning itself though. She has been sentient for a while now, of course, and she even had got some sense of my existence. However, she needed a strong external stimuli to realize that there was something outside of my body and to start thinking in a way which would be perceptible for me. And you for that matter."
Edward pondered that for a moment and then replied, "I see. Have you been talking to her about anything else than her movements?"
"Well, I told her a little bit about the situation outside this house. About the Quileutes, about magic and the magical world, and such. Of course, I've told her that most people are... normal. How else would she understand that all of us here are special?"
"Why would you do that? She's going to be confused. She wasn't even born and you are already telling her about such things?!"
"I don't want her to enter a potentially messy situation without understanding why is it messy."
"So you would have her enter this world knowing she is a freak?"
"Knowing that and also knowing how to defend herself!"
There was a moment of silence.
"What exactly have you been teaching her?" asked Edward.
"I gave her some basic knowledge of magic but I didn't focus on that very much. After all, who knows how is her magic going to turn out? I guess it would be useful to proceed with general combat tactics, modern weaponry..."
"Don't!" cried Edward out, shouted almost. The baby was startled.
"Keep your voice down," demanded Bella accusingly
"Sorry. Bella, you can't do this. If you do this, she will be emotionally twisted. It might end up exactly as the Quileutes fear - the child will be a monster."
"Then they shouldn't have come here."
"Bella, this is something we should decide together. You have told her about magic - that's enough. You have told her about the outside world - that's more than enough. It might warp her perception of the world once she is born. It might complicate the birth and bring you in danger. Don't make it any worse, please."
Bella looked in his eyes for a while and contemplated his request. She stiffened when the child shifted a little.
"I'm all right, I'm all right," she said to Edward who moved to help her. "So, am I just supposed to leave her hanging?" she asked.
"No, tell her that there is more to learn but that she will have to do that on her own. Because true knowledge can be gained only through learning. Also, she should know that there is more to the world than danger and magic. Tell her that... Wait a minute, she can hear sounds from outside, right? Maybe she would like some music. I could play for her."
"Well, why not? But nothing too lively, I hope."
Some time later, most of the Cullens assembled downstairs. Alice and Jasper were absent as usually. Bella sat next to the piano and Edward started to play. The baby didn't seem to find the sounds annoying. Carlisle and Esme watched from afar, hoping that they would see a similar scene soon enough - just with one more person sitting by the piano.